LEO HOROSCOPE

Mercury retrograde in Leo can lead to embarrassing situations because Leo is ruled by the Sun and the Sun shines a spotlight on anyone born under it. What looked triumphant one moment can become humiliating the next so the best way to survive this time is to own your mistakes. Don't try to distance yourself from them, cover up, or explain your way out of a corner because you'll only make matters worse; however you will come across as much more honorable – and indeed admirable – by being straightforward. Just tell it like it is and you'll deter critics looking to score cheap shots at your expense.

A goal that was in reach escapes your grasp when Saturn turns retrograde on July 12th. The planet of detours and delays, Saturn becomes even more Kafkaesque when it reverses direction in the sky. Expect to be plunged into a bureaucratic maze of repetitive paperwork and nonsensical requests. The best way to manage yourself during your time in limbo is to reflect on your belief and convictions. You might laugh at the idea, but that's exactly what's being tested here because it's only be reconnecting to your moral compass that you will find your way out. Saturn will be retrograde from July 12th until November 28th.

Venus conjunct Uranus at the last degree of Taurus on July 4th shows you breaking ties with a company that you've been wanting to break ties with for a long time. Part of you feels sad about it, but a bigger part of you can't wait to move on. There's so much to look forward to! The planets show that you'll soon join forces with like-minded people who are just as committed to those high standards of excellence as you. This will have a positive effect on your creativity, ingenuity, and self-confidence. So much so that you'll never hide your light under a bushel again.

Usually strokes of genius are just that – strokes. You may be excited by an idea, seized by an impulse, or bedazzled by an intuitive flash, but since these inspirations rarely coincide with conducive circumstances they're often left to wither on the vine. Fortunately the Mercury/Saturn trine on June 27th shows you speaking to a receptive audience. This means that there are people around you who get what you are about and can help put your ideas into action so that they produce tangible results. After months of rough sketching you’ll see at least one make the leap from the drawing board to the material world.

How can something good make you feel so bad? That's the question you'll be asking on June 22d. There's no disputing that you earned the breakthrough you're currently enjoying. You worked hard for it and deserve all the praise and recognition, however it comes at somebody else's expense and that's the part that's hard to stomach. Guilt and shame often shadow our triumphs when the Sun squares Saturn. You'll want to apologize but that's aimed at making yourself feel better so leave things alone for now. There will come a time when you two will talk and revive the goodwill and camaraderie that seems lost.

No good deed goes unpunished when Mars squares Uranus on June 15th. Not only will your heroic deed fail to impress, it looks like it will come back to bite you in the derriere. You really thought you were doing the right thing by standing up for someone who wouldn't stand up for themselves, but our noble acts don't always align with others' wants and needs so get ready to bear the brunt of their fury. You know what you did was for the best and even if it's not appreciated now, one day it will be. And that's what makes all this aggravation worthwhile.

The concluding sextile between Venus and Jupiter on June 4th finally delivers on a promise made weeks ago. It's analogous to Dorothy clicking her heels three times and being transported to where she wanted to go all along. Now whether this is home or a home run all depends on what your aim has been from the start. Many people would be overjoyed with the outcome and you'll certainly share that sentiment, however it's the last in a series of wishes which means no more miracle moments for the foreseeable future. It's up to you to make the most of what's been set before you.

You're not one for go-betweens. You prefer to meet face-to-face, however the path that leads to the person you want to meet with winds through sensitive terrain. Maybe they're friends with an Ex, related to someone you crossed swords with, or is simply inaccessible to somebody of your rank. In any case you're going to have to rely on a third party to speak on your behalf this week. It's not the way you'd do things given your druthers but it appears as if you haven't a choice so make sure that you brief this person thoroughly and that they've got all the facts straight.

It's never easy acknowledging you're not as good as you once were, but Saturn in Aries always promises a second act if you give it your best shot. Maybe you're planning a comeback, reinventing yourself, or you've decided to pursue another career track all together – in any case, you're going to have to prove yourself. Prove myself? Your first reaction may be shock, but think of Joan Crawford, an accomplished Hollywood star, who had to take a screen test for the lead role of Mildred Pierce. In true Aries fashion she put her pride aside and wound up winning an Oscar in the long run.

What's up is down and what was down comes flying up when the Sun conjoins Uranus at the top of your solar horoscope on May 17th. And given that this will be their last conjunction here, you should expect earthshaking developments. Thankfully it won't be sudden. Either it's been in the works for weeks or you will be given plenty of time to think about the decision you face and to ruminate on the consequences. Nevertheless it's a development that will change your life which is why you'll want to make a point of getting out in front of it and not drag your feet.